SANDPIPERS 



(262) Tringites subruficollis 



iVieill.) (Gr., a sandpiper; Lat., below, 

 reddish, neck). 



BUFF-BREASTED SAND- 

 PIPER. Bill rather short, slender 

 and tapering. Ads. in summer — 

 Plumage as shown, the under parts 

 being a nearly uniform buff color, 

 unmarked save for a few black specks 

 on the sides. Primaries with the 

 inner webs peculiarly traced and 

 marbled with black, differing from 

 any other known species. In winter 

 — Whitish below; back darker, the 

 broad, brownish edgings being re- 

 placed by narrow whitish ones. L. 

 8.00; W., 5.25; Tar., .20; B., .75. 

 Range — Breeds along the Arctic 

 coast. Winters in southern South 

 America. Migrates chiefly through 

 the interior of U. S. 



in the east, they are usually known as Prairie Pigeons; the 

 latter part of the name feecause the flight is somewhat 

 pigeon-Uke. In the Eastern States they have been hunted 

 so persistently during August, their migration month, that 

 only comparatively few are left. 



Many a time, during the nineties, I have crouched behind 

 a wall and watched flocks of from two to twenty Upland 

 Plover feeding on a hillside. If not disturbed they will 

 remain on the same ground for the whole day, during which 

 time they will have scoured a considerable area in their 

 hunt for insects. It is very amusing to see them chasing 

 grasshoppers, of which they are very fond, and they have to 

 step lively to catch some of the old hoppers; often they will 

 spring into the air and catch them on the wing; at other times 

 they make longer flights after moths that they have startled 

 from their retreats. Every little while they will call to one 

 another with a mellow, flute-like whistle — sweeter and 

 more musical than that of any other shore bird with which I 

 am familiar. This call is not loud, but is very clear and 



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